Who: Hackettstown Tigers vs. Warren Hills Blue Streaks.
What: Fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Morrison Field, Hackettstown High School.
Records: Hackettstown 12-6; Warren Hills 15-3-1.
Coaches: Stephen Speirs (fourth season, 35-36-2); Laurie Kerr (14th season, 234-66-12).
Series history: Warren Hills owns a 35-4-3 edge dating to 1969, including a 6-1 win here in the last meeting on Sept. 25, 2012. Hackettstown's last win was a 2-1 regular-season victory on its old grass field at Hatchery Hill School in 2006 before a 5-1 loss at Warren Hills in the Hunterdon-Warren semifinals. The Tigers' only other wins were: 3-2 in the 2004 Hunterdon-Warren final; 1-0 in 1970 and 1-0 in the first-ever meeting in 1969 -- both wins coming at home. The schools tied in '70 (0-0), '71 (1-1) and '04 (3-3).
Previous Champions: Newton/Warren Hills co-champs in 2009 (final was never played); Voorhees in 2010 and 2012; Warren Hills in 2011.
Note: Here's a closer look at both teams with probable starting lineups:
Hackettstown Tigers
How they got here: Beat Vernon, 9-0, in first round; South Hunterdon, 3-2 on strokes, in quarterfinals; Hunterdon Central, 4-3 in OT, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Wallkill Valley, 3-1, in 2009 first round, Lost to Voorhees, 3-0 in 2009 quarterfinals; Lost to Wallkill Valley, 1-0, in 2010 first round; Beat Lenape Valley, 2-1 in overtime, in 2011 preliminary round, Lost to Belvidere, 1-0 in overtime, in 2011 first round, Lost to Pope John, 2-1, in 2012 first round. Overall HWS record: 5-4.
Probable starting lineup: Sr. F Kalie Thies (13 goals-12 assists-38 points); Sr. F Michelle Carlson (11-3-25); Sr. F Sierramarie Fitzgerald (10-10-30); Jr. F Kelly Healy (8-3-19); Sr. MF Nicole Andes (4-3-11); Sr. MF Nicole Felicetti (0-1-1); Sr. MF Illin Bangug (0-0-0); Jr. D Marissa Siconolfi (1-0-2); Jr. D Allana Fitzgerald (0-0-0); Jr. D Kaitlyn Keiser (0-1-1); So. GK Rose Bishop (75 saves, 6 shutouts, .798 save percentage, 1.06 goals against).
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
How they got here: Beat Kittatinny, 6-0, in first round; High Point, 3-0, in quarterfinals; Voorhees, 2-1, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Delaware Valley, 8-2, in 2009 first round, Beat High Point, 4-0, in 2009 quarterfinals, Beat Pope John, 3-0 in 2009 semifinals; Beat Sparta, 6-0, in 2010 first round, Beat Wallkill Valley, 4-1, in 2010 quarterfinals, Beat Newton, 2-1 in overtime, in 2010 semifinals, Lost to Voorhees, 1-0, in 2010 championship game; Beat North Warren, 9-0, in 2011 first round, Beat Newton, 5-0, in 2011 quarterfinals, Beat Wallkill Valley, 8-1, in 2011 semifinals, Beat High Point, 3-1, in 2011 championship game; Beat Lenape Valley, 5-1, in 2012 first round, Beat Pope John, 8-0, in 2012 quarterfinals, Lost to Voorhees, 2-0, in 2012 semifinals. Overall HWS record: 14-2.
Probable starting lineup: Jr. F Sydney Muntone (15 goals-9 assists-39 points); Fr. F Dani Profita (11-7-29); Sr. F Jessica Nissen (7-2-16); Jr. MF Nikki Profita (14-10-38); Sr. MF Nikki Schott (5-6-16); Sr. MF Melanie Loth (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Crampton (1-7-9); Jr. D Allie Brouhard (2-0-4); So. D Rachel Phillips (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Oberly (0-0-0); So. GK Taylor Austin (61 saves, 9 1/2 shutouts, .884 save percentage, 0.58 goals against).
Analysis: On paper, this appears to be a huge mismatch. But games are played on the field and not on paper. And you can't ignore Hackettstown's improbable run to get to the final by beating favored South Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central on the road. The Tigers have absolutely nothing to lose and have the one benefit of playing on their home field. The key will be getting off to a quick start and possibly connecting for an early goal -- Carlson is red-hot on offense with five goals in her last five games -- to put some pressure on Warren Hills, which has played in more high-pressure games. The Streaks are playing their best hockey and are on a major roll right now, winning 12 in a row and outscoring its opponents, 45-2, during that stretch. If either of the Profita sisters or Muntone are left unmarked it will be a long day for the Tigers' defense. But the same token, the Streaks' defense has been an unsung unit this season -- allowing a total of four goals in the team's last 14 games -- with Crampton and Brouhard anchoring the backfield. Warren Hills simply has too much talent and the Cinderella story ends at home.
Pick: Warren Hills, 4-1.
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